VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt 1938 Headlight Switch

:confused: I finally replaced my old ('38) wiring harness and like everyone else, ran into problems. I have several questions but will only address one now. In installing the new harness, I discovered that while tightening a screw into the light switch, it did not tighten but kept turning. I noticed the brass fitting in the light switch that I put the screw into was turning. Does that mean the light switch needs to be replaced? If yes, I would like to know the best one to use as a replacement based on someone's experience. I have all the better known company catalogs and could order one but prefer comments on them first. If there is a fix for this, I would like to know about that. Also, does the knob unscrew from the shaft or does the shaft come out of the switch somehow. I tried a little to unscrew it but it seems welded on. I have checked all my manuals and can not find anything on this. The knob is an original '38 and in excellent condition so I don't want to ruin it trying to get it off. Any suggestions? I thought I read a thread about this in this forum a while back but have not been able to locate it. Thanks. Stuart

Beamer
There was a pic of a light switch somewhere on chatter, you will have to search to find it. If I remember correctly, on the main switch body behind the dash there is button. Pull the headlights on push this button and pull the knob and shaft out. You can then undo the hollow screw that holds the switch to the dash.
Tony

Tony, Thanks for the info. I have done quite a bit of searching on chatter but so far have come up empty handed. I have had a severe case of bronchitis so when that is gone, if ever, I will check out the switch further. I have just been trying to gather info for when that day comes!! In the meantime, I will search further. Stuart

:( I searched everywhere I thought the switch could be pictured but usually got a message that no matches were found. If anyone knows if there is a schematic of the '38 headlight switch in chatter, I would really appreciate hearing where it is. Thanks.

Did you check the wiring diagram in the shop manual...My 1939 manual shows the back of the switch (where the wires are connected) and the wires going to their specific locations.

Chevgene, Yes, I have several wiring diagrams including the original shop manual. However, my car is a '38 and came with 4 connections on the voltage regulator, one being IGN. As you know, most regulators with 4 connections were long ago replaced with ones having only 3 with the IGN having been dropped, including mine, so my wiring diagram does not help under the dash. Some time back, I asked you about the wire going from VR IGN terminal to under the dash as my new wiring harness has the original wire for that terminal. At that time, you said to just cut it off and tape it. I can do that but then what do you do under the dash to accomplish the function that wire was originally used for. My friend who was helping me, labeled where all the wires were connected under the dash but not to where they went! There are 3 connections on the back of the ammeter. The only one I can figure out where it should be connected is the starter. I don't know what the other terminals are supposed to be connected to. In the '38 wiring diagram, the old IGN wire from the VR went to the light switch thence to the ammeter. Do I still nee

Chevgene, Yes, I have the original shop manual but the wiring diagram doesn't help much. My wiring harness is a '38 and includes the wire from the 4th terminal on the voltage regulator (IGN). As you know, most VRs, including mine, no longer have the IGN terminal. Some time ago, I asked you about the wire going from that terminal to under the dash and you said to cut it off and tape it. I did not ask about what carries out the function of that wire. My '38 diagram shows the VR IGN wire goes to the light switch thence to the ammeter. Do I still need a wire going from the switch to the ammeter? If so, what post does it connect to on the ammeter? There are 3 posts on the ammeter and the only one I can figure out what it is for is the one going to the starter. My friend who disconnected the wires under the dash labeled them as to where they were connected but not to where they go. Perhaps I need a '39 wiring diagram. What connects to the other 2 posts on the ammeter? By the way, I ordered the Service Manuals you recommended but they haven't arrived yet. Stuart

Stuart
In my posting above I have given incorrect information, the correct instructions are in the 37 - 42 posting.
Tony

The 1939 shop manual wiring diagram has one wire (shold be a heavy wire) going from the starter switch (battery) to the ammeter.This feeds everything except the starter its self.Then one wire "exits" the ammeter.It splits with one wire going to the battery post on the VR and one to the light switch.The fuse is on the back of the light switch in 1939.I would suspect that there are two "exit" terminals on the 1938 ammeter due to the fact that the fuse is on the back of the meter.The head light terminal would pass thru the fuse and the VR wire would not, with the wire going directly to the VR....Did the extra wire used on the 1938 VR come in(with ) the harness.?...If so I would just tape the terminal for now, and not cut it off.
Connect all other wires to the light switch and ammeter as the original.
Its rather indirect to comunicate this way but it time we will have is figured out.

:o My two postings above that are very similar are due to the "system". I typed one up and tried to "add reply" and got an error message and the reply seemed to be lost. I typed it again and was able to post it. Apparently my first attempt was in cyberspace and eventually found its way home!! Sorry for the confusion. Thanks for your info Chevgene. It will probably be a couple of weeks before I can try your suggestions but I will keep in touch. Stuart

Tony, When I go to the 37 to 42 postings, there is nothing there. I can get the current posting by clicking on it but that is all. It appears that everything has been lost or something. Stuart